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Candida Albicans is commonly found among humans; approximately 70% of people are hosts to candida colonies in their intestines, skin, or mouth. Candida is usually not life-threatening, even though vaginal yeast infections in women and oral thrush in infants can be problematic. However, in some cases, especially for people with compromised immune systems, candida and other types of yeast infections can be deadly.

Candida, the Opportunistic Fungus

Candida Albicans is the most common type of yeast and lives along with other strains of candida in the skin and in mucous membranes. They are usually not harmful because their numbers are kept in check by surrounding bacteria and other microorganisms.

Yeast infections can occur whenever the opportunity presents itself. For example, when a woman takes antibiotics, she might inadvertently kill all the bacteria that control the yeast in her vagina, causing a yeast infection.

In healthy people, yeast infections are easily treated and can usually be prevented. However, yeast infections can become recurrent and potentially life threatening when the body's immune system is weakened. People with these conditions need to take extra precautions to avoid deadly yeast infections.

Immune System Conditions Conducive to Yeast Infections

AIDS or HIV

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Scleroderma

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Long-Term Radiation Therapy

Immune suppression due to chemotherapy, corticosteroid therapy, or drugs used to prevent the rejection of transplanted organs

Oral Yeast Infections

Yeast infections of the vagina, skin, or nails in adults are a relatively common occurrence and usually no cause for alarm. Oral yeast infections in adults, however, indicates that the immune system is suppressed, and conditions are right for the opportunistic yeast to cause a serious infection. Oral yeast infections, also called oral thrush, manifest as flat, patchy, sticky white spots on the tongue, gums, or inside of the mouth. If left untreated, these lesions can progress into ulcers causing anorexia, nutrition problems, and dehydration.

Deadly Yeast Infections

In patients with suppressed immune systems, yeast infections can become severe and life-threatening. These infections often become systemic, as the candida infections spread to the blood vessels, lungs, brain, bowels, and kidneys. Symptoms become increasingly worse and death can be a result if left untreated.

Yeast Infection Dangers

These deadly stages of yeast infections require professional medical care and treatment. There is no way to predict if an immune-compromised patient will fall victim to deadly candida, but several factors can further weaken the immune system and increase the risk:

Severity of illness

Alcohol and illegal drug use

Poor diet

Dehydration

Infection

Physical and emotional stress

Prevention

These steps may provide the support your immune system needs to keep a minor yeast infection from becoming deadly:

Eliminate or minimize drug and alcohol use or other lifestyle factors that may negatively influence your health